This is Audiobook Fanatic’s first listen to acclaimed author Lisa Jewell’s latest novel.
While celebrating their identical 45th birthdays at the same local pub, podcaster Alix Summer and peculiar Josie Fair meet unexpectedly to discover they are birthday twins. After another chance meeting outside Alix’s children’s school, Josie informs Alix that she is about to embark on great changes in life and wants to be the subject of her next podcast series. Alix finds Josie very unsettling but can’t resist the temptation of making a groundbreaking podcast to accelerate her career. As the podcast progresses, Josie reveals some very dark secrets and begins to wheedle her way into Alix’s life and home. Alix ignores all her internal alarm bells as she desperately wants to see the podcast to its completion and then be rid of Josie for good. Josie, however, has her own hidden agenda, which dramatically escalates in the second half of the novel.
The story is an addictive, slow-burning thriller that will keep listeners hooked throughout. Like so many British thrillers, Jewell depicts a British society with contemporary injustices and where the female protagonists are unhappy with their lives and marriages.
The talented ensemble of narrators and the audiobook’s high-quality production greatly enrich the listening experience. The riveting performance of Louise Brealey as Josie is especially noteworthy and will keep listeners fully enthralled. Without giving away any spoilers, it can be said that the ending is open to interpretation and would easily spark interesting discussion amongst book lovers. This book will likely be included in “best books of the year” lists and should be a serious consideration for those who enjoy suspenseful dramas.